I am beginning to buy into the theory that Mclaren's updates have suited Hamilton more this year, just as they suited Button more last year.
It is odd how Button did so well at Montreal last year only to collapse so dramatically this year. And, as you say, at the start of the season he was much closer to Hamilton's pace also.
i think too many ppl do not look at the bigger picture.what happened in canada last year was flukey.button was about to be overtaken by lewis for a second time in that race before he got taken out.then you have the weather and safety cars and the timing of buttons final pitstop.
In 2010, Hamilton beat Button in qualifying 14-5 and in the race, 12-7. Of those races where Button was ahead, two were his wins in wet conditions at the beginning of the year, four were Hamilton's retirements (2 mechanical, 2 driver error) and one was in Japan where Hamilton had gearbox trouble. Button had two retirements that weren't his fault. In dry conditions, when neither car had any problems, Hamilton beat Button every time. The reason the points gap was small was because the top three teams were a long way ahead of the others so Button often finished only one or two places behind. Using the difference in places in the WDC just exaggerates this.
In 2011, Hamilton beat Button in qualifying 13-6, while Button beat Hamilton 10-9 in races. Again, Button had two retirements that weren't his fault. Hamilton had three retirements, of which two were driver error and one mechanical. Suddenly an apparently bigger gap is put into perspective. 2011 is widely regarded as Button's best season and Hamilton's worst, yet Hamilton still beat him comfortably in qualifying and finished ahead in half the races. The points gap is bigger because Hamilton went into self destruct at races like Malaysia, Monaco and India and finished further behind.
I don't like the term 'destroyed', but over the time they have been team mates, Hamilton has had a clear speed advantage over Button.
button is NOT faster than lewis.it just may seem that way from time to time if lewis is having to drive slower during the race for whatever reason.
i mean if alonso was faster than massa in quali and then massa was quicker in the race ppl would say"thats strange,that shouldnt be happening"the same applies if vettel was quicker in quali and webber was quicker in the race.
but lewis is quicker in quali,button at times quicker in the race,and ppl think thats perfectly normal.
i think ppl need to look at the bigger picture,by looking at everything that happened in quali and the race,then youre able to see the reality alot better.